It is pleasing to see place-based approaches given such prominence in the government-commissioned High Street Report, as well as a recognition that no two towns are the same. The call for locally-specific strategies, and Government playing an enabling role to remove obstacles to town centre regeneration, is eminently sensible.

We also support the evidence-led approach outlined in the report and the use of survey-based data to reveal what people want from their town centres. The focus on our town centres serving their surrounding catchments is also a helpful reminder that we should be focusing on whole places, rather than viewing our high streets in splendid isolation. Understanding the catchment is essential to devising appropriate, individual strategies for town centres.

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